Little Tupper Lake in New York

Trip Overview

Fall in the Adirondack Mountains of New York is a wonderful time of the year, and today was a splendid example of the kind of weather people drive miles to see. The sky was a perfect blue, and the trees were wearing their exquisite fall colors.

I put my kayak in at the ranger station and was greeted by a friendly park ranger who asked where I was heading. I explained I only had a couple of hours to paddle and asked where he would go. He pointed me up the lake to a sandy beach where I could relax and each my lunch prior to paddling back down the lake. The paddling was easy, and the scenery gorgeous. There are several primitive campgrounds dotted around the lake, and I was met by several campers at the water's edge soaking up the beautiful morning sunshine.

I paddled slowly the six miles to the end of the lake weaving in and out of the numerous bays, and inlets dotting the shoreline. The only company I had on the water was several mergansers and a loon who kept me entertained with his soulful song.

Upon reaching the end of the lake I found a beautiful sandy beach that made for easy beaching of the boat, and provided me with a chance to stretch my legs, and enjoy my lunch in complete solitude. I paddled back to the boat dock down the opposite side of the lake, and called it a day. In total I spent about four hours paddling and eating my lunch.

Accommodations:

Little Tupper Lake is part of the Whitney Property, and there are primitive campsites along the lake. There are chemical toilets and a phone at the ranger station. Handicap accessibility to the lake is also provided.

Directions:

Follow routes 28 and 30 to Long Lake. Go out of town on Route 30, and the entrance to the Whitney properties is clearly marked about 2 miles out of town.